TYPES OF ROOFING MATERIALS FOR YOUR FAIRVIEW, TX HOME

Types of roofing materials

It’s important to keep your home protected from the outside environment. Rain, hail, heat, sleet, snow… all sorts of inclement weather can negatively affect your home if not protected properly. Hence the importance of having a durable roof. Every home has a roof, but what types of roofing materials can you choose from and which will best protect your Fairview, TX home in the long run?

Wood Shingles

A wood shingle roof can give a really nice look to a home. It adds a certain appeal to a home that a traditional asphalt roofing can’t. Your wood shingle roof will definitely stand out amidst your neighbors asphalt roofs.

However, the issue with wood shingles is how vulnerable they are to rain or moisture in general. Wood is an organic material, hence it can decay and allow for moss growth if not properly treated. These problems can come about during a rainy Texas spring.

Of all the types of roofing materials, wood shingles require the most care and attention, especially after long periods of heavy rain. The areas of your roof that are constantly in the shade are most susceptible to decay. Routinely having your wood shingles treated should guarantee a durable roof for at least 30 years.

How is a wood shake roof different?

Wood shakes are formed by splitting wood rather than just sawing it. Splitting allows each shake to follow the natural grain and maintains a certain thickness of a plank that wood shingles don’t have. The pattern and thickness work together to better protect against deterioration caused by moisture.

With regards to appearance, wood shakes are a bolder option than wood shingles because they are thicker. So if you want to go bold, go for wood shakes; if you want to go sleek, go for wood shingles.

Regardless of the wood shingle type, your top wood choices are cedar, redwood and cypress. Cedar is most durable against inclement weather, while redwood is known as the most visually appealing wood for roofing. Because redwood is most common on the west coast, there is less of a supply for Texas homes, so it’ll probably be more expensive than other options.

No matter what form your wooden roof takes, or what materials are used, you should maintain and treat your roof as needed. If you do, its lifetime will range from 30 to 40 years.

Metal

You can find metal roofs in both shingle and panel form. Both have the same qualities, but you can shape them separately according to your preferences. Shingle form will provide your Fairview, TX home with a more traditional look; though panels give it a more unique look.

A metal roof will last for quite a while, in the best cases, up to 75 years. At its minimum, the metal roofing should last about 40 years. While it’s more expensive than asphalt and wood shingles, you’ll basically be paying for roofing that lasts twice as long.

There are two main disadvantages of metal roofing: noise and denting. Metal is a loud material, so heavy rain can result in noise throughout a home. You’ll probably get used to it, but it’s still something to take note off. Although, added sheathing and soundproof insulation are good options for silencing that noise.

Metal can also dent. Texas storms tend to come with large hailstones, so be prepared to need to repair a shingle or part of a panel if a major hail storm occurs in your area. Despite denting, your metal roofing should be able to withstand significant hail damage. You won’t have to replace your entire roof like you would an asphalt roof damaged by hail. The reason for this is that metal roofing is extremely difficult to penetrate.

Slate

Slate is the cream of the crop when it comes to types of roofing materials. It makes for a long-lasting, visually appealing roof. Due to its many benefits, it’s also the most expensive roofing material. You’ll have to pay quite a bit for both the material itself and the installation – about $600 per square foot!

But, if you can afford it, you’ll have yourself a sturdy roof for the next 100 years. You probably won’t be living in the same home for that long, but slate will give your home a significant increase in resale value if you do decide to sell.

Slate withstands mold and mildew well. Heat is not a threat to it, nor is hail. Slate is basically the perfect material for a roof, both function- and appearance-wise.

The most commonly used shades of slate are gray, green, red and purple. Each color has a slight fade that makes the slate look subtle and inviting. As long as you hire a professional crew to install your slate roofing, you’ll benefit from slate’s functionality and appeal.

Roofing manufacturing techniques are so advanced these days that you can even find materials that impersonate slate. It might sound like a knock off (and, to some extent, it is); but the appeal is the same, and the function differs only slightly. Obviously, the point of attraction for faux slate roofing is the lowered price.

Asphalt

Asphalt shingles are the most common type of roofing. The reason for this is that they’re inexpensive, versatile and reliable. An asphalt roof’s lifespan ranges between 20 to 25 years, but it’s basically zero-maintenance and can withstand heavy winds, rain and hailstones as well as most other types of roofing materials.

Asphalt shingles also come in a variety of colors, including black, gray, blue, brown, and red. You can easily find an asphalt shingle in a color that suit the exterior of your home.

Regarding the quality of asphalt roofing, they’re typically built for Texas weather. This is why most Fairview, TX homes have asphalt roofing.

Their combination of affordability, quality and appearance often make them the default roofing material among Texas homeowners. While asphalt shingles are not always the best roofing option, their overall makes them a worthy purchase.

To Summarize

Slate is the most expensive type of roofing material. It also has the longest lifespan and suits most people’s preferences.

Metal roofs are next on the list when it comes to durability. Metal is difficult to damage, but it’s definitely an acquired taste for most homeowners.

Wood shake roofing will last between 30-40 years. They may slightly edge the lifespan of a regular wood shingle roof as a result of their composition.

Wood shingles offer a natural, earthy appeal to a home. They add character and are a great choice as long as you treat it as needed to guard against moss and algae growth.

Asphalt is the most common choice. It’s affordable, sturdy (a 20-30 year lifetime), and versatile.

There is one more material to discuss…

There is one last roofing material we can discuss, but it’s not very common in North Texas.

Clay or Concrete tiles can last between 50 to 100 years. It’s essential, however, that you hire an experienced roofing contractor to install clay tiles. That should go without saying regardless of which roofing material you select, but clay is categorized with slate in terms of difficulty of installation.

Clay tiles are quite heavy and cut to perfection. To ensure that they stay in place and insulation your home properly, a professional roofing company needs to be the one to work on your roof. They’ll be able to determine whether or not your roof can handle the weight of the clay tiles you selected. It shouldn’t be placed on top of the old roofing; a clay roof should always be installed from scratch.

The reason they last such a long time is because they’re fire-resistant, water-resistant, and adapt well to varying temperatures. Essentially, the only thing that can severely damage a clay/concrete roof is a heavy impact, like a falling tree. It’s durable enough to withstand hail; though, if the hailstones are large enough, it can cause individual tiles to crack, and a clay tile is not as easy to repair as the other materials (for example, asphalt and wood shingles).

You’ll find clay roofing to be quite versatile. It also adds great character to a home. Your clay/concrete roof will last a long time and give your home a unique look!

Summit Roof Service Inc.

If you’re interested in any of the roofing materials we mentioned, Summit Roof Service Inc. is your top source. Our experts are prepared to install all kinds of roofing, whether it’s new roofing or replacing an old one. We’re also experts on repairing roofs. Contact Summit Roof today at (972) 715-1655! Our goal is to give your home the protection it needs.

To learn more about our products and services, visit https://summitroof.com. You can also check out our blog for all kinds of helpful roofing tips.